Arts & Culture

Most Community-Centered Bookstores in Philadelphia

Despite living in the digital age, there are still numerous bookstores throughout the city for people to visit and purchase books by their favorite author or on their favorite topic. Some of these stores take a more community-centered approach and offer weekly events. These can be for kids, seniors or anyone. Many have author signings, movie nights and musical guests or concerts to bring the community together, often for free.

Big Blue Marble Bookstore’s main mission (besides selling books) is to bring the community together over literature. It has regular events for kids, such as story time, and was a Best of Philly Magazine winner in 2007 for its children’s section. Big Blue also has poetry readings, book clubs and meetings with authors as well as a “community room” that is available for use. Many local clubs, groups and different types of special interest and hobby gatherings use this room for writing and poetry classes, among other things. There is always something going on at Blue Marble — you may just find your new favorite hobby.

Brickbat Books is where you want to go when looking for art books or just to have that unique bookshop experience. Brickbat also has regular events with local artists, which include authors and musicians designed to bring the community together for fun and enlightenment. Brickbat will post its events about a month in advance on the website. This store also buys books if you are looking to decrease your collection or make a few dollars off of a collectible item.

Locust Moon Comics is located in the heart of University City. This comic book store doubles as an art gallery for local graphic artists and is also its own publishing house. Locust Moon has regular events for comic book enthusiasts where it serves up refreshments, sells merchandise and offers hands-on activities. This includes adults-only events like “Drink and Draw.” Locust Moon also holds regular movie screenings on Tuesday evenings and gives a little back each year on “free comic book day.”

In the Chestnut Hill section of Philly sits a fully stocked bookstore that delights customers with its vast collection of over 50,000 books both new and used. Walk a Crooked Mile is also notorious for its well-read and friendly staff, and its family friendly environment. During the warmer months, it has regular musical guests that give free concerts. Most days, you can find free coffee, tea or cocoa for guests browsing and even a friendly cat sleeping somewhere amongst the books. This is the bookstore for you if you want to sit back, relax and chat about books with other bibliophiles.

People love Joseph Fox Bookshop so much that some are overwhelmed to tears when they spend a little time here. Independently owned and operated since 1951, this shop is small in size but big when it comes to giving you that favorite community bookstore feel and memorable author events. Joseph Fox Bookshop is the official bookstore for the Philadelphia Free Libraries off-site author events. Check the calendar to make it to the next exciting event.